View Full Version : Kraftwerk Live Birmingham
Having not seen Kraftwerk live since around 1982 I was not sure what to expect 35 years on, however watching and listening to them at Symphony Hall Birmingham last night proved that not only were they one of the greatest electronic innovative bands of all time they still sound futuristic and relevant today. I know they have been a massive influence on all electronic music but they do inhabit their own electronic idiosyncratic bubble which is unlike any other in the musical world.
The concert was conducted using a massive HD screen which projected 3D images and film along with the music. Most of this material was highly impressive and some visuals absolutely stunning. They started their set with Numbers which flew out of the screen towards you as the band stood behind the computer console desks. The sound was massive and precise as indeed it was fed from Kling Klang, their recording studio equipment, it was a bit like listening to the mother of all fantastic hifi systems on an immense scale. One track in particular, Man Machine, was truly awesome and monumental in its sound. It was sublime to hear them play this live with the power and precision of truly great artists and technically brilliant both visually and sonically. WOW.
The rest of the 2 hours flew by with a the band disappearing briefly to be taken over by the Robot mannequins. Again the visuals and sound was truly fabulous. Finally they bowed out with Boing, Boom Tack which gave each member a chance to do a short solo. This not only proved they were actually playing some sections of the music but also highlighted which areas they were playing. Some of the sounds they produced were extaordinary! Finally Ralf Hutter took his bow and was given a standing ovation which he indeed deserved.
What a memorable night and awesome performance by one of the most important bands in all electronic music. They are still the greatest and best at what they do and I doubt anyone would not be moved by what they saw and heard.
Very nice write up James and glad you enjoyed the show. A friend of mine is going to see them at the Royal Albert Hall and I am very Jealous, I've got the Minimum Maximum DVD and that is quite stunning so seeing them live must be amazing.
Pleased you enjoyed it Jim. I was actually offered a ticket for that show by a friend of this forum but due to work commitments couldn't make it.
I did however see them in 2004 at the Brixton Academy, not a 3D show but excellent all the same. In fact one of the best gigs I've ever seen. Funny how 4 guys with laptops can put on such a great show.
Minimum Maximum dvd captured some of that tour and is a must.
R
Pleased you enjoyed it Jim. I was actually offered a ticket for that show by a friend of this forum but due to work commitments couldn't make it.
I did however see them in 2004 at the Brixton Academy, not a 3D show but excellent all the same. In fact one of the best gigs I've ever seen. Funny how 4 guys with laptops can put on such a great show.
Minimum Maximum dvd captured some of that tour and is a must.
R
When they cranked the sound up Rich they were truly awesome.
I took my dad (79) to the Edinburgh show on Saturday night and every time I looked to my side to see if he was ok he had a massive grin on his face.
I've been wanting to see them since first hearing Autobahn in the mid 70's and the wait was worth it 😉 😎
walpurgis
14-06-2017, 18:27
My brother is the same age and he would have enjoyed that. Mind you, the original Kraftwerk members can't be far off that age surely?
Ralf Hutter the only original member there last night is 70. He cycles a lot so probably fit as a fiddle.
I was there too last night Jimbo .... Row P Stalls centre... Birmingham Symphony Hall is a brilliant venue for sound but you're not allowed to stand up and dance!
The gig was amazing - I can't really add to your review and concur that the 2 hours just flew by.
I took my son (20) and a friend (25).....both of them thought it was stunning.
I saw the Kraftwerk previously in Nottingham in the early 80s, and then again in 2004 in Budapest which was recorded for the Minimum Maximum LP.
In my opinion a unique talent.
John
I was there too last night Jimbo .... Row P Stalls centre... Birmingham Symphony Hall is a brilliant venue for sound but you're not allowed to stand up and dance!
The gig was amazing - I can't really add to your review and concur that the 2 hours just flew by.
I took my son (20) and a friend (25).....both of them thought it was stunning.
I saw the Kraftwerk previously in Nottingham in the early 80s, and then again in 2004 in Budapest which was recorded for the Minimum Maximum LP.
In my opinion a unique talent.
John
John I was in the same row seat 14 row P Stalls! Yes what a great night and fantastic show. I thought the sound was amazing most of the night in symphony hall. Man machine,I think you may agree, was particularly impressive. What an awesome sound!
So in an unexpected turn of events a friend of mine posted on Facebook that he had a spare ticket for sale for Kraftwerk at the Sage Gateshead last night. I'd just got off a train home after being away with work and rushed to the venue to meet him. There was no way I could miss this...
For me, the Sage Gateshead is one of the best music venues in the country. Purpose build with fabulous acoustics, I was in the third row and the sound and visuals were stunning. It was nice to see Spacelab added to the set, one of my favourite KW tracks. And that bass on Aerodynamik... Pant wettingly gorgeous. I've played it at several bake offs as it'll show you how low a system can go. They wrung the best they could out of that system and it imaged like nothing I've heard at a live venue.
They did seem to have some equipment problems though, several times tracks went out of sync and the normally cool and robotic members were seen shooting each other concerned looks. At one point they had to stop a track short as the drum track was glitchy and wouldn't play in time. Very odd.
For all that though this made them more human/flawed and they had the Gateshead crowd with them all the way.
I was very lucky to have got a ticket and so happy to see them again. My copy of the excellent Minimum Maximum will be getting another play tonight i think.
Great you got to see them Rich.
Not sure if you have a copy of the new 3D live album they have just released but i would recommend you check it out. The recording is superb and really captures their live performance extremely well.
Good review J,Mrs O got us tickets for the Brighton concert last week as my birthday treat,seems they have had a few technical problems though,sound was in sync but 2 of the robots were not working,3D was impressive as we sat dead center just below the projector,most enjoyable evening though.
HackneyRF
15-06-2017, 08:48
Nice write up James. That's really wetted my appetite.
I'm going to see them for the first next week at The Albert Hall. Very excited.
+1 regarding Minimum Maximum. A great DVD
Nice write up James. That's really wetted my appetite.
I'm going to see them for the first next week at The Albert Hall. Very excited.
+1 regarding Minimum Maximum. A great DVD
One of my mates who was with me at the Birmingham gig is also going to the Albert Hall gig next week.
Hope you enjoy.
John I was in the same row seat 14 row P Stalls! Yes what a great night and fantastic show. I thought the sound was amazing most of the night in symphony hall. Man machine,I think you may agree, was particularly impressive. What an awesome sound!
We had seats 17,18 and 19.... so I was 3 seats away from you. I concur, the sound was amazing.
hifinutt
28-06-2017, 13:34
I was there too last night Jimbo .... Row P Stalls centre... Birmingham Symphony Hall is a brilliant venue for sound but you're not allowed to stand up and dance!
The gig was amazing - I can't really add to your review and concur that the 2 hours just flew by.
I took my son (20) and a friend (25).....both of them thought it was stunning.
I saw the Kraftwerk previously in Nottingham in the early 80s, and then again in 2004 in Budapest which was recorded for the Minimum Maximum LP.
In my opinion a unique talent.
John
yes missed kraftwerk becuase could not get a ticket , funnily enough i was there a few weeks ago with roger hodgson of supertramp and they were dancing in the last song in the stalls to `its raining again` whirling brollies etc
https://youtu.be/1x-hi_gHsqs
We had seats 17,18 and 19.... so I was 3 seats away from you. I concur, the sound was amazing.
Talking of which - the sound recording on the 3D live albums is stunning - I have the vinyl and the pressing, album art quality and production is simply wonderful. Definitely audiophile electronica!
Talking of which - the sound recording on the 3D live albums is stunning - I have the vinyl and the pressing, album art quality and production is simply wonderful. Definitely audiophile electronica!
I totally agree with this, stunning audio quality, great box set, the artwork on each sleeve just sets it off perfectly.
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